Cruel thieves have stolen Santa from a Christmas lights display which raises thousands for charities on Teesside.

The cowardly raiders used the cover of darkness to steal the 31-inch tall Santa Claus statue from the Nunthorpe garden of grandmother Elizabeth Frost at 4.20am yesterday.

But two youths have been caught on camera and police are probing the heartless theft.

Mrs Frost, whose impressive displays in Egton Avenue have raised more than #7,000 for local charities in the last seven years, said: "I'm really upset and I've been in tears. The people who did this are sick.

"Why would anyone damage something that is going to give pleasure to a great many people and raise funds for charities.

"It has really sickened me."

The thieves also damaged two other statues as they snatched Santa from the display.

A Cleveland Police spokesman said: "It is an extremely mean theft but hopefully the spirit of Christmas will prevail and the figure will be returned or someone will give to police the information we need to recover it.

"This lady does a lot for charity and even the most hardened Scrooge would not want to see her efforts dimmed this year."

Mrs Frost has erected a sign warning thieves that police are investigating and that cameras are watching.

She and her partner work hard to erect the display outside the house every year and have invited Chris Tomlinson, Teesside's international long jump star, to turn on the lights on December 1.

Money raised will go to local charities the Butterwick Hospice, the Daisy Chain Appeal along with the Great North Air Ambulance and Childline.

Last year, Mrs Frost's display raised #2,500 for charity and the big switch on will still go ahead as planned.

* Anyone with information about the theft can contact Cleveland Police on 01642 326326 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.>